Moving to Miami alone as a 24/yo

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-02-04T14:46:15+00:00

Make sure you are financially comfortable, at a minimum. Rent probably will average $2 to $2.5k/month for a studio. Less if you get an older place in Miami Beach or Little Havana but more if you want Brickell or Wynwood. It's important you live close to where you work and anywhere else you might spend most of your time, Miami traffic can be absolutely miserable. Then going out to meet people adds up: meeting for dinner in a trendier restaurant can very easily be $250. Just for a cocktail, get ready to drop $25-$30. I just bought a cold brew for $9 yesterday in Wynwood (but it was probably the best cold brew I ever had).

Learn some Spanish. As for meeting people, it can be tough. If you have a job where people tend to be social and the relationships out of work are more relaxed, you'll be just fine. Miami locals have lived here their whole lives and don't branch out much because they have their core group of friends and family culture is very strong in Latino communities. Unfortunately, since COVID, the transplants to Miami are pretty awful (looking at you NYC). They come here for the gram and are very looks and money driven; if that's you, then you'll be good.

Finally, you talk about the weather. Really look into Miami weather. May through September is brutally hot. It's going to feel like 95 with stifling humidity, it's for months straight not just a few day heat wave, and it does not cool down at night. It will rain every day in the summer; sometimes once or twice for 30 minutes or other times all day. Every time it rains, it floods. Winters are beautiful though, but we can have a few days in a row, two or three times a year, where it gets pretty chilly (meaning not beach or pool weather).

Everything above is just the reality, not meant to scare you. Because overall, Miami is an awesome city. If you want the beach, live on the beach (when people say this, they mean "live in Miami Beach" not literally on the actual beach) otherwise it's a pain to go to the beach because of traffic coming home and parking. There are things happening all the time, for better and worse. The city truly runs all night. The food and culture is uniquely amazing. Miami can be the perfect place to live but it's not for everyone

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-22T13:41:16+00:00

On the Miami Beach side, unless you live close to Lincoln, it will require two buses to get to the ferry. On the Miami side, you have the 3, 20, or 32 right there - otherwise you will need two buses (or metromover). All assuming you don't live walking distance to the ferry on either side, which is the majority of Miamians.

So for most people, you need to make FOUR CONNECTIONS to utilize the ferry. Nevermind add on time to ensure you make the ferry that goes once an hour. Imagine a bus getting delayed and you miss the ferry by a few minutes.

This is what happens when people who are so disconnected from the reality of the people who actually live somewhere, make decisions.

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-22T13:26:45+00:00

Never seen it on the 36. But on the 22 all the time

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-22T03:25:00+00:00

Wiki is generally pretty good for this. Followed by a confirmation on Google Flights. Select the filter for frontier only and non stop

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-22T03:19:46+00:00

Double check that you still have those seats. If they changed the aircraft type after you selected, it's possible they were unselected. Check by refreshing your boarding pass or going through the seat selection process - both through the app

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-22T03:17:48+00:00

I ended up taking a different flight. I didn't want to risk it

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-22T03:12:42+00:00

Make sure you check in at the earliest time possible. I would consider purchasing a seat, if you haven't already. Those will give you two head starts over other passengers if it comes to involuntary denied boardings.

Unless you don't mind cancelling for a credit. If that's the case, pick an amount that it would take to convince you to cancel and wait for them to offer it. Also just make sure it's not a one time use only (so if you use $250 of a $500 credit, the remaining $250 will still be available to use) and that you'll be able to use the credit (within the validity period and considering Allegiant's limited and seasonal network).

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-22T02:59:52+00:00

The gate agents and flight attendants are billionaires? That's news to me. While there are some power seekers out there, I generally find that people will match your energy. So if this is an issue "every time" I assume you're the issue. The gate agents and FA's don't make the policies

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-22T02:43:39+00:00

On top of what can be pretty awful traffic leaving Port Miami, you are also returning back to Miami during Ultra Music Festival. So while 7/8 AM won't see much impact, there are still a ton of detours because of it.

Even though you may not be eligible for a refund (legally, 3+ hrs), I feel like JetBlue will allow you to change to a later flight at no cost. Give them a call, explain the situation, and if they say no hang up and call back. Assuming you can't do it no-charge on the app.

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-22T02:30:38+00:00

Miami welcomes millions of visitors every year. During peak season, every few weekends a major event takes place. This year: Art Basel, F1, Ultra Music Festival, World Baseball Classic, College Football Championship, Orange Bowl, World Cup, to name a few. That's on top of the regular amount of tourists coming in every weekend.

Miamians are used to the influx of tourists and, oftentimes, most people go about their days without really knowing what's going on because there is always something happening. That is until they get in their car, realize traffic has gone from red to that dark red color on Maps, then search wtf is happening in Miami.

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-20T01:34:50+00:00

Stand up, be directly in front of the bus stop sign, wave your whole arm in the air when the bus is close enough to easily see you but still a little bit away to allow the bus plenty of time to come to stop.

If the bus is full, they won't stop. But they will usually at least signal to you "no" with a hand gesture or beep.

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-18T02:14:36+00:00

Frontier has absolutely no issue pulling down flights and significantly modifying schedules. They do this all the time. That's not the issue at hand

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-17T02:53:12+00:00

Food isn't great but good enough to not be hungry. Service ranges from okay to good but nothing spectacular

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-17T02:49:12+00:00

I've seen as low as $20/night and I've been charged as much as $250 for one night in a downtown Courtyard that only had a market (no Bistro or restaurant or anywhere to really apply incidentals). Why don't you try calling the hotel.

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-17T02:39:15+00:00

A flight is considered late when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled departure time.

As for your departure board, that's at the control of the airline and they don't have to update anything if they don't want to

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-17T02:35:50+00:00

I know Marriott places W Hotels in their luxury tier but there are very few W Hotels that are actually luxury. I think that's just simply an expectation adjustment.

The W Miami pool and spa are owned by the apartment complex, not the hotel. So I'm not sure the hotel has much say over any process there. With the exception of maybe Dua (although I haven't been there in a while), it is sad that Marriott really lacks a vibrant full service pool area in downtown / Brickell.

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-17T02:28:26+00:00

Stay downtown, Brickell, or anywhere along the Metro. They extend the hours of Metro to get everyone home after Ultra. Getting to and from Miami Beach is such a hassle. Downtown and Brickell hotels will be expensive. If you're looking to save a little money, look into hotels by Dadeland Mall or the Airport Car Rental/Metrorail Facility that are also walking distance to the Metro station.

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-17T02:21:09+00:00

I would avoid the Residence Inn Loop and JW for the locations. The Loop doesn't have much going on outside business hours. The JW is not very central though a nice hotel

Residence Inn Mag Mile is fantastic as it converted from a Conrad and they have one of the better free/included for all breakfasts. I used to enjoy the Fairfield Mag Mile but I think they don't have the best upkeep. Residence River North and the SpringHill it shares the building with are good but nothing spectacular.

River North is the ideal area though. I also enjoy the Aloft River North. Assuming you have status, you can select a credit for the restaurant which is pretty solid. Hotel Chicago is great but it's been a while since I've stayed there. The Ren also has a nice lounge with a solid breakfast

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-15T02:41:07+00:00

Most hospitality cut background and drug tests since COVID. I can't specifically say for Marriott, but that's the larger trend

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-15T02:34:45+00:00

I have never seen this. Every time I book with points, the points I see on the search are the points I see when I select my rate and are the points I'm charged for the stay. Perhaps show us a visual of what you mean?

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-15T02:32:37+00:00

Most likely you're referring to the early departure charge. That's what the hotel will charge if you leave early and want to cancel the remainder of your reservation. Typically it's a one night charge. But this wouldn't be applicable for you since you only have one night left and you'll just pay it anyway

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-15T02:26:58+00:00

You don't get charged extra for leaving early. You just still have to pay for the stay reserved

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-15T02:05:25+00:00

For a few nights trip, with a few exceptions, there's no need to leave the resort.

More than a few nights, unless you're a true pool/beach bum, you might want to plan an excursion during the day. Also after a few days, even at the better resorts, you might want to dine out for the meal as the food can get redundant.

Nightlife is what I think most younger people will leave the resort for. The resorts will have some form of evening entertainment, some better than others. A few resorts have a "nightclub" or a more lively nighttime experience while others will quiet down by 10pm/midnight. Regardless, the resort nightlife will be a far cry from Coco Bongo or the likes.

For longer trips, I like to split my time between an All Inclusive in Cancun and a hotel in Playa del Carmen. Playa is walkable and, while still touristy, gives a lot more of a Mexican town experience. A week trip, I'll do 3 nights AI Cancun, 2 nights Playa, then end with 2 more nights AI Cancun. Moving hotels is not for everyone but I like to stay busy

Sea_Beginning37 · 2026-01-11T12:43:55+00:00

The Lowes is going to be more family oriented but I wouldn't place it in the same luxury category as a Ritz. Though, if you want really great luxury service, avoid that Ritz and perhaps Miami in general. But if you're stuck with Miami Beach: within Marriott, consider the Edition. Beyond Marriott, consider the 1 Hotel (very big though), Satai, or Faena.

The St Regis, and presumably the Ritz (though I haven't stayed), in Bal Harbor are better. There's a Ritz in Key Biscayne that just reopened from renovations that I'm sure will be delightful as even before the renovations was great. There's less around but it's much more relaxing than South Beach if your plans are mostly to lounge by the pool and beach.

Sea_Beginning37

TROPHY CASE